Waterhole 1- a room with a view!!!

On arrival at the camp the people on reception were friendly and helpful and we had been allocated WH1 chalet (right at the water hole). The room was superb with the most wonderful bed linen!!!! (Fluffy quilts and pillows). Again we had tea making facilities and a fridge to use.

We had a 6.30pm meal each evening which meant when we returned to the waterhole most people were leaving for a 7.30pm meal so we had no problems getting a bench to sit and watch all the activity.

Both breakfast and evening meals were buffet style and this meant there was ample to eat and choose from but nothing startling.There is a large swimming pool area but we didn't make use of this whereas some people would really enjoy it.

Waterhole Chalet in Okaukuejo Camp

The position of our Chalet was excellent - so close to the Waterhole. Arrived to find 6 bull elephants at the waterhole - later black rhino with calf, giraffes. springboks, oryx, more elephants and jackals. We were amazed at how many animals came to the waterhole in the morning - lots of zebra and springbok - also kudu and oryx.

We found the food pretty average and the main courses poor apart from good steaks. Vegetables overcooked.

We did not like the way our postcards were sorted in the PO into countries and left exposed to the public.

Okaukuejo Camp review

Although not up to the same standards for food and service as many of the private lodges this is a great place to stay while visiting Etosha. The waterhole is a fantastic place to spend a few hours especially after dark.

Breakfast and dinner were buffet style. Food was plentiful and of a reasonable standard.

Spectacular game viewing from the waterhole.

An old friend which has had a major facelift since our last visit in 2006. The cabins are very nice, but we regretted the removal of the kitchens. The best feature here is of course the waterhole, and one of our nicest memories of this trip is of sitting by the waterhole with a glass of wine as the sun set watching elephant, rhino and giraffe.

The dining room and the food are fine with good service.

We didn't participate in any activities as we drove ourselves around Etosha

two chalets - take the pricey one!

Okauhuejo - so much wildlife it is overwhelming. Run within the park so necessarily a bit touristy and impersonal.

The restaraunt facilities are what you would expect from such a large operation - fine but not splendid!

We had a good chalet one night and the best waterhole chalet the other. However much it cost, the second one was worth it - to be able to sit in a palatial bed looking out over a balcony and floodlit waterhole and see lions in the early hours of the morning cannot be surpassed.

Okaukuejo Camp review

We were in two nice sized double rooms next to each other, each with a fridge and a small lounge area. There was a communal BBQ area so we were able to cook for ourselves although had to be careful not to share the meal with the resident jackals!

The floodlit waterhole is just amazing and there seemed to be something to see at almost any time of the day or night. We were lucky to see a family of rhinos coming down to drink on our second evening. We didn't do any of the organized trips, preferring to drive ourselves around.

The pool area was nice although busy and quite noisy. There was a useful snack bar selling burgers and chips, but opening hours were limited and it frequently ran out of supplies!

Much better than expected

We drove straight here from the airport, having arrived via Air Namibia at about 07.45; with two of us it was a perfectly comfortable drive allowing for stop offs to buy food and have lunch at a road-side picnic spot, where we started the birding list. Having done a couple of short game drive loops we arrived at the camp around 3.30pm.

We were very pleasantly surprised by Okaukeujo, having read reports of poor food and surly staff. From check-in to check-out all staff were friendly and helpful and the food from the restaurant was good (and good value) with both dinner and breakfast cooked to order. We thought the wine prices were particularly good value. Having said that, we used the braai at our Bush Chalet on our second night – wood and firelighters from the shop (plenty for two braais) were fine but you do need to take your own utensils and crockery – you can buy these in the supermarkets in Okajandia and Otjiwarongo. It's best to buy food there too as the selection in camp is restricted. If you braai you are likely to be visited by the local jackals and foxes – not a problem – they're cute and curious but not insistent.

Our Bush Chalet was very comfortable with comfy beds and fluffy pillows. Either no duvet or very thick though! Efficient air-conditioning but shower dripped during the night.

We didn't eat at the camp at lunchtime but picnicked on food bought outside Etosha – recommend the sausage rolls from the bakery in Outjo!! Delicious!

The waterhole was excellent – we saw 7 rhino (5 white , 2 black one evening). It's a shame so many people stay 1 night and leave first thing in the morning – spend an hour between 8.30 to 10 ish and you should have excellent animal viewing – after all the camps outside the park bring their guests there at that time because they think it's the best waterhole in the park! Why rush to leave??

Fill up with fuel before entering Etosha – the restcamps are 5% dearer than anywhere else.

Amazing waterhole, but downhill from there

This was the only disappointing accommodation on our trip, feeling every bit the government run camp it is. Rooms were average, though poor value for money in comparison to other places we stayed, but food was a real shock after our other experiences - a real scrum, and akin to a Little Chef in terms of quality, which left us resorting to bread and coleslaw! The basic service all round is also a let-down after other places.

However, the Waterhole probably just makes all this worth putting up with, given the amazing views of all sorts of game long into the night.

We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.